Second Arizona Patient Confuses Brain Leak With Allergies

Chiu and his colleague, neurosurgeon Dr. G. Michael Lemole, used a new endoscopic method to access the sinus and patch up the two sinus cracks. They entered the sinus through the nose and grafted skin over the leaky spots.

The same procedure was used on Nagy.

Aragon will have to be monitored several times a year.

"She's not leaking anymore, but we have to make sure she doesn't spring a new leak," said her doctor.

Nagy said he feels lucky, as well.

"It's such a strange thing," he said. "I had never heard of it before. But it's possible my story will help someone else in the same boat or predicament."

The prognosis is "very good," according to his surgeon, Nakaji. "Once you seal the hole and the leak isn't continuing, it will seal itself up and usually not leak again."

Today, Nagy said, he feels "terrific" and is back to his lifetime hobby of making model airplanes and building a sailboat in his backyard.

He credited his surgeon.

"He was young enough to be my son," Nagy laughed. "He even looks like I did when I was younger. But he was a dynamic and positive-thinking young surgeon who put me at ease."